Inflatable playground-ball.



L. T. HOFFMAN. INFLATABLE PLAYGROUND BALL. APYPLIOATION FILED JUNE 1, 1911.

1 098 384 Patented June 2, 1914.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LILBURN '1. HOFFMAN, F PEILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, .ASSEEG-NOR TO THE DRAPER & MAYNARD COMPANY, OF PLYMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE, CORPO- RATION OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.

INFLATABLE PLAYGROUND-BALL.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LIL-BURN T. HOFFMAN, of Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Inflatable Playground-Balls, of which the following is a specification.

This inventionrelates to a playing ball which includes an inflatable bladder, usually of rubber, and a tough and flexible case or cover inclosing the bladder, the inflation of the bladder causing it to conform closely to the interior of the case. The material of which the case is made is leather cut in seotions of suchform as to give the case the desired form, whether spherical or elliptical. Thesections of which the case is composed are secured together by stitches. Heretofore the edges of the sections have been turned inwardlyand sewed together, their inwardly turned edges forming inwardly prqjecting ridges which indent the bladder and are liable to injure the same. Moreover, it is necessary, in order to unite the sections as indicated, to first sew them together with their inner sides outward, and then turn the case right side out, this operation involving the expenditure of considerable time and labor. The external surface of a case made as stated is practically smooth, all the ridges or protuberances being on its inner surface, hence the ball, when used in games which require the catching of the ball by the hands, is somewhat elusive.

My invention has for its object to provide a case or cover for a ball of the character above stated, which shall be free from the objections above noted, and it consists in the improvements which I will now proceed to describe and claim.

Of the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification,Figure 1 represents a view of a ball constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 represents an enlarged section on line 22 of Fig. 1.

the shape of the sections.

Specification of Letters Patent.

- that the edges of the sections Patented J une 2, 1914 Applicatiomfiled June 1, 1911. Serial No. 630,701.

In carrying out my invention, I turn the margin of each section outwardly to form a narrow flange 13, said flange extending entirely around the marg n of the section on which it is formed. In-assembling the sections, I abut the flanges 13 together as shown in Fig. 2, and unite them by stitches. 14 passed through the bases of the flanges, the exposed portions of the stitches occupying the angle formed by the intersection of the outer sides of the flanges with the outer surfaces of the sections.

The usual slit or opening 15 is provided for theinsertion of the bladder 16, said slit being formed by interrupting the continuity of the stitches c0nnecting',two adjacent sections. 'The sections between which the slit 15 is formed are provided with holes 17 which receive a lacing 18.

The case or cover made as described, does not require turning after the sections are stitched together, hence, the time and labor involved in making the case is reduced to the minimum. The outwardly projecting flanges form ribs 011 the exterior of the ball, these ribs enabling the players to conveniently catch and hold the ball. To aid in holding the cover in proper shape and to facilitate catching and holding the ball, I form some of the sections 12 of a plurality of parts, which parts are united to form transverse ribs 19. By reason of the fact are turned outwardly, the inner surface of the ball is free from projections or protuberances tendingto indent and abrade the bladder.

The stitches being located at the bases of the ribs formedby the outwardly projecting flanges and in the angles formed by the intersection of the outer sides of the sections and flanges, are protected against injurious wear. 4

I claim 1. In a playing ball, a case or cover adapted to inclose an inflatable bladder, and composed of sections 'having their edges turned outwardly to 'form entirely around the sections, the flanges of the different sections being abutted together and secured by stitches passing through the bases. of the flanges, each pair of abutted flanges constituting an outwardly projecting rib which protects the stitches and facilitates the catching and holding of the ball,

flanges extending rality of sections of leather united by outwardly turned welt seams forming protecting ribs for the stitching and surface of the case, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature, in presence of two Witnesses.

LILBURN T. HOFFMAN.

Witnesses l/VILLIAM A. STECHER, WILLIAM QUINBY. 

